National Wildlife Federation teams up with “Where the Wild Things Are”

For many of us, childhood memories are synonymous with outdoor moments like climbing trees, skipping stones, or gardening. But today’s kids spend twice as much time indoors as their parents and grandparents did, missing out on the simple pleasures and lasting mental and physical health benefits of daily outdoor time.

Studies show that children who spend time in nature are healthier, happier, and become better stewards of the environment. National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is launching
Be Out There, a national movement to return to the nation’s children a connection to the natural world around us and the joy and sustenance it brings.

NWF has teamed up with the movie Where The Wild Things Are to formally launch Be Out There. Where The Wild Things Are is a collaborative effort between innovative director Spike Jonze and celebrated author Maurice Sendak that tells the story of a rambunctious and sensitive boy who feels misunderstood at home and escapes to the island of the Wild Things.

Want to get involved? Help spread the word! Let your networks, friends and families know about the Be Out There campaign and partnership with Where The Wild Things Are.

1.
Forward this to others
2.
Organize a service project for students to help them explore local wild things and wildlife by creating a garden or doing a habitat restoration project.
3.
Share Be Out There activities online by posting the language below on Twitter and Facebook:

– Want to play “Wild Things Bingo”? Check out our Activity Guide for Kids — adults can play too, ya know! (link to http://www.nwf.org/beoutthere/kidsactivities.html)

– Get ideas for planning your own Wild Rumpus Day: (link to http://www.nwf.org/beoutthere/parentsguide.html)

Thanks for your part in creating special places for wildlife and helping to build the Be Out There movement. Together, we’ll create a generation of happier, healthier children with love and responsibility for the environment.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Garland

Rebecca Garland
Executive Director, Be Out There
National Wildlife Federation

P.S. Start your Be Out There adventure by heading outside to watch for animals near you with help from Wildlife Watch.